Schützenfest Duisburg-Walsum (BSV 1856)

Schützenfest BSV 1856 Walsum — the family club in Duisburg's north

The Bürger- und Schützenverein 1856 Walsum e.V. describes itself as a "club for the whole family" — and is one of the oldest marksmen's clubs in Duisburg's north. Its annual Schützenfest with Wacholderkirmes is a central date in the event calendar of the Alt-Walsum district. From July 4th to 5th, 2026, the festival tent on Kaiserstraße will transform into a traditional Schützenfest setting.

What is a Wacholderkirmes?

The Wacholderkirmes is a Lower Rhine specialty: a funfair element traditionally associated with the Schützenfest, deriving its name from the juniper bush (juniper schnapps, Genever). Juniper was considered a symbol of joie de vivre and sociability in Lower Rhine folk culture. Today, Wacholderkirmes primarily refers to the fairground stalls around the festival tent: snack stands, small carousels, shooting galleries, almonds, mulled wine, and juniper specialties.

The Festival Week Build-up

• June 29, 2026 — Setup at the Kaiserstraße festival grounds
• Friday, July 3, 2026 — informal kickoff
• Saturday, July 4, 2026 — Festival parade and grand Zapfenstreich in the evening
• Sunday, July 5, 2026 — Bird shooting, crowning of the king, coronation ball
• July 6, 2026 — Dismantling

Bird Shooting and Crowning of the King

The bird shooting on Sunday is the sporting highlight. Marksmen from BSV 1856 compete to shoot the wooden bird off the pole. The winner is proclaimed the new King of BSV 1856 Walsum and will represent the club for a year. The crowning of the king takes place ceremonially in the festival tent — king's chains, king's shots, honorary awards, and the traditional coronation ball with dance music form the festive setting.

Family Club BSV 1856

The BSV 1856 Walsum is more than a marksmen's club — it is a central player in district life. In addition to the Schützenfest, the club organizes:

• Walsumer Sommerfest (June 14, 2026, Stadthalle Walsum)
• Christmas market at the clubhouse (November 21–22, 2026)
• Remembrance ceremony for Volkstrauertag (November 15, 2026, Alt-Walsum cemetery)
• Shooting competitions, quarterly meetings, cleanup work at the clubhouse

Alt-Walsum in Duisburg's North

Walsum is the northernmost district of Duisburg — historically an independent town, incorporated into Duisburg in 1975. Alt-Walsum with Kaiserstraße forms the historic center with a village-like atmosphere. Its location on the Rhine and the Walsumer Rheinaue nature reserve makes the district one of the quieter and more traditional quarters of the large city.